What’s in a song?

ILIGAN City ― Yes, what’s in a song?

The answer is “everything.” Because when someone renders a song, the singer pours all his emotions into it. Nothing else matters at that moment.

The answer too is “nothing.” There’s that statement, I remember which says: “Their property was disposed of for a song.” And we know what that speaks of, of a “song.” Meaning, valueless.

And we hear of the song sung by the former legal adviser of President Duterte, Atty. Salvador Panelo, “Sana’y wala ng wakas,” with all the feelings he could muster.

Which created some strong feelings too from the original singer of the song, Sharon Cuneta. She didn’t like, Panelo’s singing.

So reports said she ranted in her social media accounts about the matter! And this created quite an uproar among the netizens.

Naturally, Panelo too reacted to Cuneta’s reaction to his singing. Among others, she said she felt “slighted” by such. And an insult too to the writer of said song Willy Cruz.

When Panelo heard of such rants by Cuneta, he said it was not his intention to do some insulting but the song makes him remember his son with Down Syndrome, so Cuneta cooled down saying she didn’t know about that aspect of Panelo’s life. In fact she herself is active in a foundation for such kinds of kids.

Panelo then added that maybe they can “cross party lines” for a common cause. His son Salvador Panelo III with said syndrome died at 27.

Well, here in this city, the song “Nosi Balasi” didn’t help Dr. Belinda ‘Bunz’ Lim get confirmed by the Sangguniang Panlungsod, even if the majority of the members are colored “red.” Although the song identified with the good doctor who sings it with such fervor and showmanship to the delight of the audience has nothing to do with it. Or on second thought it might have considered its meaning, “Sino Basila!”

Mind you, it’s pretty damn hard to be acting city health officer in these trying pandemic times. What with all those “to do” things including administration matters so focused on Covid-19. And in the middle of something as instructed by DOH-10, somebody from said office whispers in the ears of some changes!

So in her exasperation, Dr. Lim might have expressed something in front of some people. Which with added to several “unsavory” reports led to the SP’s decision not to confirm her. Anyway, she is still the “acting” city health officer. Translated loosely, her song means, “who are they anyway!”

(Email: norasorino2@gmail.com)